Christmas and Solitude....

Saturday, December 1st, 2012 

I used to love Saturday mornings when I was younger, because they were usually the one morning I could sleep late and not feel guilty.  I didn't have to get up for work, or rush off for a meeting.  I could just sleep until my heart was content, spending the whole morning in bed catching up on the rest I needed.  Now, my appreciation for Saturday mornings has changed.  It's still usually the one morning I don't have to rush out the door to tackle whatever life is handing me to do that week --- but I don't sleep late.  I still find myself waking at my usual time of 6:30am.  WHY?  Because it's my Solitude Time.  And during the hectic Christmas season, I need my solitude more than ever.  

I try to have a bit of solitude every morning with my coffee -- before the rest of the family is awake and hustling around. Before the dogs start torturing the cat.  Before I turn on the tv and get distracted by the latest news on "Good Morning America".  Before I check my emails, or the phone starts ringing, or texts messages start dinging, begging for me to check them.  It's not always easy to get that time in, but it's important.  Actually, it's more like crucial to me.  

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I've been reading Pete Wilson's book, "Empty Promises" for awhile now.  It's taken me months to get through it because it's so full of great little nuggets that I only read a few pages at a time, always getting something I can carry around and ponder on easily for awhile.  Chapter 11, "Living Close To The Truth"  says this:  "There are certain spiritual practices that allow me to see more clearly the truth about myself, my desires, and the lies I've believed." - pg 172   Solitude is one of those spiritual practices.   

"Solitude is the place where we finally have a chance to let down our guards and encounter our Lord without distraction.  Just you or me -- alone with the One who offers us real love and satisfaction."  -- pg. 174

I don't know about you guys, but as much as I love this time of year, the Christmas season can leave me feeling completely stressed out if I don't remind myself what it's really all about.  To help me this year, I started reading a morning devotional (after my solitude time!) called "Rediscovering the Christmas Season".    I love www.youversion.com -- You can download the app and read on your phone!!  I've been reading another one of their plans this year, but I'm taking a break to focus on this one for the next 25 days.  Join me if you'd like!  It will be fun to do it together!

So... what about you?  How do you find time for solitude?  And what benefits do you discover that it brings to your life?  

How do YOU see God?

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A. W. Tozer

Lately I've become acutely aware that calling yourself a "Christian" doesn't necessarily give someone an accurate picture of how or what you believe.  Growing up as a southern baptist in little Arkadelphia, Arkansas, I led a pretty sheltered life.  I thought all "Christians" believed the same thing.  That they all shared the same moral code and value system.   I knew that there were a few little differences.  For instance, those Methodists didn't believe in dunking you under water... they thought sprinkling a few drops on your head was enough!  How crazy, right?!!  And the Church of Christ didn't believe in using instrumental music in the church service and thought you had to take the Lord's supper EVERY Sunday!  Bizarre!!   AND the Catholics believed you could go in some little booth and confess all your sins that week to the priest and you'd be "forgiven".  NUTS!!!   Thank goodness I was one of the "normal" baptists who had it all figured out. Ha!  

Well, I WISH those little differences where the only things that "Christians" were arguing about today. It seems the little cracks in our belief systems that used to separate us have become a grand canyon in which there is no way to join together anymore.   The saddest thing is that it must be extra confusing for non-Christians.  How the HECK are they supposed to know what Christians believe when WE don't seem to be able to agree on it anymore?   Sigh....

I've been reading Pete Wilson's book "Empty Promises", and I've been on chapter 10 this week -- "You Are What You Worship"... and he talks about worshipping "an accurate picture of God so you can reflect an accurate image of God."    I guess that's the main problem we are facing.  Everyone has their own "image" of God.  

     Do you see God as a cosmic cop waiting for you and others to screw up?  If so, you may spend your life walking on eggshells.
     Do you see God as an impatient father withholding his love from you until you finally become "good enough"?  You may never stop jumping through hoops, trying to make him happy.
     Do you see him as a heavenly concierge whose main concern is your comfort?  You may resent him for not doing his job.
     Do you believe he thinks and acts like you?  Chances are, you'll be confused most of the time, trying to figure out his next move.  

So this question is for all my Christian friend's out there today.... how do YOU see God?   And how do you balance the "legalistic God" with the "peace, love and merciful God"?   Please share...  :-)

*italics are direct quotes from "Empty Promises" by Pete Wilson.  

"Chasing A Dream"

Everybody has a dream, right?   Most of us have a pretty clear picture in our minds about how we want our futures to unfold.   We all have dreams like:

"--where you want to be in your career
--where you'd like to live
--what your marriage will be like
--what your kids will accomplish
--the kind of mark you'll make on the world"

There is nothing wrong with having dreams.  I believe that many of our dreams are God-given.  God blesses us with gifts and talents and I believe he gives us dreams so we can use those talents for His glory.  The problem is that sometimes "these dreams become so desirable that you begin to think they can give you what only God can give.  You may even be tempted to abandon your God-given values in the pursuit of your God-given dreams."  

Just remember one thing:  "Your dreams, no matter how wonderful they may be, will always make a lousy god."


I used to be a big "dreamer".  And I really believed that if those dreams ever came true, I would feel complete.  I would be happy.   I was convinced that those dreams would give me long-lasting joy and peace... and I started buying into the lie that if those dreams didn't come true, I'd be miserable.  Boy was I wrong.   I actually have learned along the way, that some of those "dreams" I had would have actually been my worst nightmare, had they come true.   I've learned that my plans don't always coincide with God's plans, and His are always better.  

"There's a lot about what happens to us in life that we cannot control.  What we can control, however, is our willingness to seek God in the midst of all the craziness.  Surrendering doesn't mean we spend less energy on pursuing our dreams, but it does mean we spend less nervous energy.  It means we see our dreams for what they are -- possibilities and promises and goals, not sources of our peace and security."

"Maybe in this moment, God is showing you something in your life that you know you need to let go of -- or at least hold with open hands.  It may be something good.  It may even be something from Him.  But it's something you've been trusting to give you what only God can provide."

Yes. That's me.  I definitely have something that I need to hold on to with open hands.  Something that I've taken for granted.  Something I thought was going so well, and now is very broken.   However, I know that "it's those unexpected shattered-dream moments that provide us with twists and turns in life where we meet God.  Rarely do we surrender when we feel strong and in control.  But when a dream is shattered, when life takes an unexpected turn and veers out of control, that's when we fall to our knees.  That's when a new dream can grow."

It's Monday, October 1st.  I'm growing a new dream today.  How 'bout you?   Anyone else need to "Let Go and Let God" today?   If so, let me know and I'll pray for you.  Please pray for me too.

Have a great week friends!!  -- Enjoy the FALL... my favorite time of the year!

*all quotations are from Pete Wilson's book "Empty Promises"

"Addicted to Beauty" - (The Idol of Appearance)

According to a recent survey, women have thirteen negative body thoughts daily. -- thoughts like:

---I'm too fat.

---I'm too thin.

---My breasts are too small.

---My ears are too big.

---My hair is too curly.

---No man will ever want me.

Where do those thoughts come from??  Ok, I'll admit it... I spent my evening last night watching "The Emmy Awards".  I found myself ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the glamorous dresses, the gorgeous hairstyles, the beautiful faces and the perfect bodies.  I even tweeted "I want Julie Bowen's arms!"

We all want to be beautiful, right?  But at what cost?

Every year Americans spend some 20 billion dollars on cosmetics, 2 billion on hair products, 74 billion on diet foods, and 7.4 million on cosmetic surgery.  Huge numbers of young men and women are falling into the destructive trap of placing all their hopes on how they look.

Ah yes..."The destructive trap".... it IS a trap.  And one that is so easy to fall into.  Why?  Because this society seems to reward the beautiful, right?  Things are just easier when you are beautiful.  People love you more when you are beautiful.  Well, it seems that way, but...

...the truth is, while we spend all our time reading books on how to look more beautiful, or buying products that promise to make us more beautiful, it goes way beyond that.  It's a deeper issue that we aren't addressing.  It isn't really about being beautiful at all.  This is about fulfillment.  this is about wanting to feel admired, desired, and ultimately, loved.  

REAL BEAUTY

Oh, if we could only rest in the truth that we are uniquely created by our Heavenly Father (Ps. 139:14).  That the God of this universe designed us, loves us, and fully approves of us -- including the way we look.  I believe the beginning of a healthy self-image is seeing ourselves as God see us -- no more and no less.

The desire to look attractive is not wrong in and of itself.  It's the place of prominence it occupies in your heart that can make it an idol, and therefore supremely destructive.  Striving to find significance, acceptance, or power based on the beauty standards of this world will leave you empty, hurt and ultimately destroyed.  

Personally, I've come to see that there is a big difference between being beautiful and being attractive.   Let's go back to my Emmy Award watching for a minute.  Although I'm always amazed at all the beautiful people at those award shows, there are honestly few that I feel drawn too.  By that I mean, there aren't many that I think I'd really love to meet or engage in conversation with.  As beautiful as they are, I'm not attracted to them... I'm not drawn to them... I'm not curious about them beyond what hair product they are using or what exercises make them have arms like that (calling Julie Bowen!)... but I digress.....

I don't mean to sound judgmental here.  I'm sure many of those beautiful stars at the Emmy's are lovely people.  I'm just saying that it isn't the external beauty that makes them interesting to me.  It isn't their external beauty that makes me attracted to them beyond a very shallow and superficial level.

There are few things more attractive than seeing someone who is whole --- whole as only a person who is fully submitted to God can be.  Someone who accepts herself/himself as God created and continues to shape them to be.  That's a person of real beauty -- the kind that lasts and satisfies.

What do you think?  Do you struggle with worshiping the "idol of appearance"?  Personally, I know I have struggled with it in my past.  Convinced if I didn't look a certain way, I wouldn't get hired.  Or I wouldn't be included in the "right circles".  Or I wouldn't get a good husband..etc....  learning to love myself, exactly the way God made me, is a process --but one that I'm learning to embrace.   And it feels good.

*italics are direct quotes from "Empty Promises" by Pete Wilson.  

Religion Lies....

I'm reading a powerful Chapter in "Empty Promises"... the latest book written by our pastor at Crosspoint Community Church, Pete Wilson.    I also, coincidentally was reading in Acts this morning and I came across the same passage of scripture that Pete discusses in this chapter of "Empty Promises".

"Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: 'Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.'  This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.  So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question."  -Acts 15:1-2

Now you can imagine the horror on those poor Gentiles faces.... they had just come to believe the Gospel that Paul and Barnabas had been teaching, and now their great joy must've faded fast.  "We have to WH-AT?"

Religion Always Adds

Too many people argue that it's not enough to just BELIEVE.  They think that they have to add on to Jesus.  The Jews thought that Jesus + circumcision = salvation.   Seems crazy, right?  But today, in our culture, we still tend to add things to the equation.

Jesus + being immersed in water = salvation
Jesus + doing Communion a certain way = salvation
Jesus + voting Republican (or Democrat) = salvation
Jesus + church membership = salvation

I could go on and on about all the things we could add on to Jesus.  But the gospel says that Jesus is enough.  Whenever we add anything to the gospel, we're denying the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.  

And when we elevate the "add on" to being as important as Jesus is in our salvation, we make that "thing" an idol.   Yes, even religion can sometimes be an idol.

"Just imagine the freedom that comes with believing that Jesus truly is enough.  What would happen in your life if you began to realize that God doesn't wait or want you to earn his love, but that he, through Jesus, has been pursuing you with love from the very beginning?" 

We often think God's love is limited and conditional.  I think that's where we get in trouble.  We are so busy trying to earn God's love that we get off course.  We lapse way too easily into that mind-set where the church becomes more important than Christ.  Where ritual becomes more important than relationships.  

The truth is..... what you do with Jesus has always been more important than what you do for Jesus.

Thoughts?

*italics are quotes from "Empty Promises" by Pete Wilson.  

"Money always wants to be more than money"

"Empty Promises" - Chapter Six

"It's interesting that Jesus talked more about money than he did about heaven, hell and prayer combined.  Was it because he was fixated on it?  No, but he knew we would be." - pg.92

Money makes the world go 'round....right?  Well, it sure seems that way sometimes. But we all know it really doesn't, don't we? --  I was tempted to skim through this chapter because I figure most of us get this one.  I mean, we ALL know that money doesn't buy happiness.... but as I started reading the chapter, I realized there's a big difference between just knowing something to be true and really believing it to be true.

I grew up in a middle class family.  My Dad was a college professor at a small university in southern Arkansas.  My mom never worked outside the home, so we lived on Dad's income, which was modest.  Both my parents grew up during the depression, and it obviously shaped their views on money.  To say that they were "frugal" would be a serious understatement.   They didn't spend a DIME that wasn't absolutely necessary.

Dinnertime was always a surprise at our house, since Mom's grocery budget for our family of 3 was $25 a week.  TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS... a WEEK!!  Can you IMAGINE??   (We are lucky if we spend less than $25 a DAY these days... but I digress.)   Anyway.... in order to manage to buy a week's worth of groceries for $25, she shopped alot in the bargin bins that were located at the very back of our local Piggly Wiggly.  In those bins were the dented cans... and cans without labels.  So our kitchen cabinets were filled with tons of those plain silver cans they only charged a nickel for.   I remember SO many nights, as Mom was cooking whatever meat we were going to be eating that night, she'd tell me to pick out a vegetable from the cabinet.  Well, I would stand there in front of the "cabinet of plain silver cans" desperately hoping I would pick out a vegetable that I liked.  "Please, please let it be corn, or green beans", I would pray to myself.   I would always be SO bummed if I opened the can to find carrots, asparagus or BEETS.  Gross.  But there was no negotiating...  you ate whatever you opened.  I remember those evenings, sitting at our little yellow kitchen table, trying to gulp down some beets and dreaming of the day when I had enough money that I could actually buy cans with the labels ON them so you'd know what you were opening ahead of time.

Well, those days are here.  But as I walk around the grocery store, picking out cans of corn or green beans (and sometimes asparagus... but still NEVER carrots or beets) do I find myself truly grateful for that prayer that's been answered.  No... I actually find myself complaining about having the same old boring things to cook or eat.   Having more money to buy cans with labels has not made my life happier or more peaceful.

"There is zero correlation between money and true peace. Zero." - pg 92

Even though I know that statement to be true, because I've experienced it on many levels in my life, I still find myself thinking, "but it sure would be fun to see what being rich is like!"..... and I still find myself day-dreaming at times about what it would be like to not have any financial stress.  However, the question of "how much money does it take to not have financial stress" is the tricky part.

"How much money do you think you need to be totally financially secure?  I think the answer to that question is the same for all of us.  More than you currently have." - pg 96

That's the thing.  EVERYONE I know wishes they had just "a little" more money.  And I know rich people, middle class people, and poor people.  They all think they would be completely satisfied with just a little more.   But money will never be more than just... money.  What money CAN'T do is give you lasting security, peace, or happiness...

What do you think?   Do you struggle with making money an "idol" at times???   One of the things that Pete suggests in the book to avoid the "money idol" syndrome is to focus more on giving.  I know, I know... I'm having the same thought you are right now... "If I had just a little more money, I'd be GLAD to give more of it away."   The truth is, "If you can't be generous with what you have now, you will probably never be generous with more." -pg 102

It's not about the amount of money we have or don't have.  It's about our hearts.  It's about how money is used to change us, for the better or worse.

How about you guys??  Do you feel you have a good grasp of your money? .. or does it have a good grasp on you?

*Italics are direct quotes from Pete Wilson's book "Empty Promises"

"The Perils of Power"

Empty Promises, Chapter 5

“The Perils of Power”

When I first saw the title of this chapter, I didn’t think I would really relate to this part of the book.  I couldn’t have been MORE wrong.  Do I crave “power”?   I didn’t think so… but then I looked at this list of questions:

--    Do you get upset when people don’t specifically do things the way you want them to be done?

--   Do you have a hard time following the rules other people establish?  Do you often believe you know a better way?

--   When things go wrong, do you tend to shift blame to others?

--   Do you find yourself needing to win every single argument you’re in?

--   Do you sometimes ‘play games’ or manipulate others to get your way?

--  Do you often lose your temper when situations don’t go your way?

--  Do tool malfunctions (car trouble, computer trouble, etc.) really push your buttons?

-- Have you ever been told you have “control issues”?

Oh boy…..I guess I do struggle with the Power Drug.  I always labeled myself a bit of a “control freak”.  Didn’t really see that as craving power, but now I see the similarities. 

“We all like to feel we have a say in what happens in our lives.  We all like to win, to make a difference, to do something significant, to have others look up to us.  So how do we know whether our drive for significance has morphed into idolatry, that we’re headed down the slippery slope and have begun to worship power?” – pg 75

TWO RED FLAGS

1.     Avoiding Failure – When any of us allow power to become an idol in our lives, we begin to get our very sense of identity from it.  As a result, we’ll do everything in our control to cover up any hit of weakness – whatever suggests we’re not the commanding, in-charge kind of person we so desperately long to be.

2.     Refusing Correction --  We become impatient and rebellious toward the rules and processes that other people establish.  Believing there’s always a better way…. And that better way is MY way.   – Also the inability to admit we’re wrong and a resistance to being held accountable.

“God is always in control – which means we’re not.  That’s a tough thing for many of us to not only believe but also accept—especially those of us who like our power.  In fact, I think one of the greatest illusions we buy in to is the illusion of control.” – pg. 73

NOT AS I WILL

“You don’t have to be in charge, because you have a God who’s got your back.  He’ll take care of everything, and there’s only one thing you have to do.  You have to surrender.” – pg. 85

“There is a life-changing, identity-forming power available when we’re willing to say to God, ‘I give up my drive for power, and I surrender.’ When we finally get it through our heads that there is a God and we’re not him.” – pg 86

“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

“The Hebrew word for “be still” literally means “let go.”  It tells us to cease striving at the level of human effort.

            Be still and let go of your own understanding.

            Be still and let go of your own human effort.

            Be still and let go of your desire for more power.

            Be still and let go of your need to control outcomes.

            Be still.

            Be still and be reminded that you are finite…. But God is infinite.

Be still and let God be God in the most intimate places of your life.  Because in the end, that’s the only power that will change anything.” – pg. 88

What areas of your life do you need to “be still” in?   ---Myself, I’ve really had to struggle with “letting go” of my children.  My youngest is getting the brunt of it.  I realize I’ve been clinging to him with everything I have, still trying to control every aspect of his life because… well, because it’s one thing I could control.  And a huge part of my identity over the last 20 years has been being a “Mom”.  What will I do with myself once the kids are all grown and don’t need me anymore?  What on earth will I control now???  (I can feel the panic setting in just typing that.)  Be still Marcia… be still.  

Addicted to Approval...??

Are you an "Approval Addict"?

"The drug addict needs the fix.
The alcoholic needs the buzz.
And approval addicts depend exclusively on other people to love them, care for them, affirm the, and give them meaning."

"Our culture has many names for this kind of emotional neediness, (co-dependency, love addiction etc...) and can piggyback onto other dysfunctions, such as substance abuse, sexual addiction, or destructive family problems.
     Whatever it's called and however it manifests, approval addiction is the process of looking to people or relationships to provide the love, acceptance and validation that should come from God."


--Do you constantly worry about what others might be thinking of you?
--Do you refrain from doing a lot of things because other people may not approve?
--Do you tend to replay criticisms over and over in your head?
--Do you feel that having a significant other in your life is crucial to your happiness?
--Do you get really anxious when you think an important person in your life might be upset with you?

"People who live their lives hoping that someone else's love and approval will meet their deepest desires will be destined for three things:

1. Mediocrity -- "Approval addicts are destined for a life of mediocrity because they always have to follow the herd"

2. Exhaustion -- "When we find ourselves constantly checking to make sure we've said the right thing, done the right thing, and looked the right way in order to get the affirmation we crave, it can be exhausting."

3. Disappointment and Rejection - "Approval addiction is essentially an act of self-abandonment.  Instead of finding your value and worth from your Creator, you have essentially given your heart up for adoption.  You have given it away to other for love and approval, making them responsible for your feelings.  --- The trouble is, no human being on earth is up to that responsibility."

I've definitely struggled with Approval Addiction.  I called it being a "people pleaser".  When I realized that I need to be a "God pleaser" instead, it was actually very freeing.   I think it also freed up the people in my life that I was putting so much pressure on to give me and my life meaning.  Do I still want people to like me?  Of course... we all do.  But, I've learned that not everyone WILL like me, and that's ok.   -- and I love 'em anyway.  :-)

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

*italics are direct quotes from "Empty Promises" by Pete Wilson. 

The Drug of Public Productivity....

"There's just something exhilarating about public productivity.  It makes me feel strong, worthy.  It stimulates my adrenaline and feeds my ego." - pg. 29

Achievement Addiction
It's all around me.  And in me.  The addiction to achieving.  We all want to be noticed for achieving something, right?  I used to think it was one of the "pitfalls" of being in the music business.  Everyone SO focused on becoming a success.  Everyone's main goal was to eventually be on some award show accepting the "Vocalist of the Year" or "Song of the Year".... all dressed-up in a fancy gown or tux, crying out "Somebody LIKES ME!" as you clutch the golden statue.  The prize.   Then what?   Are you done?  Oh noooooooo..... the cycle is really just beginning.  One trophy on the mantle was nice, but... wouldn't it be better if there were two on that mantle?

"I have an iron will, and all my will has always been to conquer some horrible feeling of inadequacy....I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being and then I get to another stage and think I'm mediocre and uninteresting.... My drive in life is from this horrible fear of being mediocre.  And that's always pushing me, pushing me.  Because even though I've become Somebody, I still have to prove that I'm Somebody.   My struggle has never ended and it probably never will."  -- Madonna

That quote from Madonna should be proof that fame, nor massive amounts of money, --platinum records, nor thousands of adoring fans, will EVER make you feel worthy enough.

"Success and achievement have become counterfeit gods.  And when we bow down to the god of success, we inevitably find ourselves on the constant treadmill of proving ourselves again and again and again." - pg 31

As I look around, I see that it's not just a pitfall of the music business... it's everywhere.  Achievement Addiction is so much a part of our culture that it's become accepted... almost expected of us.  If you aren't focused on achieving something, if you aren't successful, then what's your worth?  

"Success-based identity is the assumption that what you do determines who you are.  You try to control the opinions and approval of others through your performance, and you let what they think of you affect what you think of you." - pg. 33

"We were never created to find our worth simply in what we do." - pg. 30

I'll never forget a conversation I had several years ago with a dear friend of mine, sitting in her parked car outside my house late one night.   We had just come from meeting other friends at our favorite Italian place to celebrate a wonderful opportunity she had just been offered.  She had been struggling ever since she had moved to Nashville, trying to pursue a career as a singer.  Now, although this new opportunity wasn't a musical opportunity, and it meant she would be moving to Birmingham, it was no doubt a great situation for her and one we all thought would be a perfect "fit" for her.  We were thrilled that after years of seeing her struggle, it looked like things were turning around for her.  As I said good-night and started to get out of the car, I glanced back at her and saw the tears flowing down her face.  "It's ok sweetie!", I said. "Birmingham's not that far away and we will stay in touch and come see you often!"  "No, you don't understand" she softly said. "I can't do it.  I can't go."

I immediately got back in the car, hugged her neck and said, "Tell me what's wrong. Are you scared?  You're gonna be GREAT!  You are perfect for this!".... and I went on and on trying to reassure her that she was making the right choice, when she suddenly interrupted me and said, "No, you're not getting it Marcia.  I can't go because I'll lose me if I go.  I'm a singer.  I've always been a singer.  It's who I am, it's what I do, and I won't know who I am if I'm not in Nashville, being a singer.  It's my identity.  I can't lose that!"

She didn't take that opportunity.  And she has expressed regret about that to me many times since then, because being a "Nashville singer" never panned out for her in the way she had hoped.  She had confused what she did with who she was, and that lead her to make a decision that will probably haunt her forever.

"You are not your giftedness.  God didn't make a singer.  God didn't make an accountant.  God didn't make a preacher.  You are not any more valuable or less valuable to God because of your job title, your tax bracket, or your social status." - pg. 44

"Scripture teaches that you are to root your identity not in what you have accomplished, but in what has been accomplished for you.....letting anything other than Christ define you will grind you down.  You will always be on a treadmill of achievement, always be haunted by the thought that you're not doing enough, always be hungry for the 'fix' of public productivity. " - pg. 44

I wish I had figured this out YEARS ago.... I'm just now really starting to "get it" and believe it.

How 'bout you?   Are you ready to jump off the treadmill?