Last night was a night of weird dreams, and for some reason I was on the Johnny Carson show playing the role of Carnac the Magnificent. I had the routine down perfect: I held a sealed envelope to my head, and I gave the answer to the question inside.
I said: The answer is, we would be in a world of trouble.
Johnny took the envelope from me, opened it up, and read the question: What would the world be if everyone were to be just like Johnny?
When I woke up this morning, I thought about the dream and asked myself the question: What would the world be if everyone were to be just like me?
As I wondered about my answer, I remembered the words of Albert Schweitzer: The full measure of a man is not to be found in the man himself, but in the colors and textures that come alive in others because of him.
As I reflect on the dream and on the words of Schweitzer, I think the common link is influence: How do I influence the world as a whole and the lives of others as individuals? When people examine my life, what do they see?
- Is it a person of pale green who is full of envy or one who admires the accomplishments of others?
- Do they see the drab darkness of hate or the bright hues of love and light?
- Do I weave the thread of encouragement into conversations so I can motivate others to believe and achieve? Helen Keller said: Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement…no pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.
- Am I a good role model and an example in my speech, conduct, love, faith and purity (I Timothy 4:12)?
- Do I see obstacles as opportunities or do I wither under the weight of what might be?
- Do I live the exemplary life of Paul, who said: Join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us (Philippians 3:17).
All of this brings me back to my question: What would the world be if everyone were to be just like me?
Christmas is now past, and the sights and scents of the season have been crowded into the pages of history by the hopeful sounds of labor pains announcing the imminent birth of a new year. Among these sounds are the voices of the optimistic and determined who announce their resolutions for the new year.
As a young boy, I was stirred by the words of President John F. Kennedy when he said: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
Due to safety and environmental concerns, Toyota has recalled 3.37 million cars. The recall involves 2.87 million cars due to faulty emissions control units. Another 1.43 million vehicles are included to repair air bag inflators that could be ineffective. Of the 3.37 million, Toyota thinks 930,00 of them may be affected by both defective units.
When I purchased a new computer several years ago, Best Buy packaged it with a copy of a virus protection program called Kaspersky. I liked the program and would have renewed my subscription except for the fact that it was a Russian company.
Where are you living? I don’t mean the place where you park your car or the address that your GPS takes you to when you touch the HOME button. Where do you live in your thoughts, fantasies, worries and wants? Is it Never Never Land or the Land of Never?
My morning routine usually begins with a cup of coffee and a piece of toast with peanut butter and honey. As I sip my coffee, I read some Scripture, check the news, and I think about my To-Do-List for the day.
No one has ever accused me of being a fashionista. I’ve always preferred blue jeans over a three-piece suit; and, instead of wearing patent leather wingtips, I’d rather wear tennis shoes or boots.
While I was fishing a day or two ago, I startled a duck that was sleeping on a boat dock. I smiled at its awkward waddle as it hurried down the ramp and into the lake. I smiled again when I saw how fluid and graceful its movements became as soon as it entered the water.
insightbyseymour 