Category: Eric’s Blog

If you’re stuck between zero and one, feeling like you still need to start, this is for you.

1). Don’t forget that past slip-ups don’t define your future. Those failures are like little fires that warm you up for the journey ahead.

2). If your determination is strong, keep it in check until you need it. But if it’s shaky, treat it gently. Don’t let it falsely puff up with ego.

3). No more mindlessly scrolling through social media like it’s an addictive drug – keep that app (or browser) closed.

4). If you ever feel like you’re not good enough because you’re too this or that, shake it off like a dog shaking off the cold water.

5). When that burst of energy hits, urging you to go for that cheese sandwich (your goals), remember, your cheese monster craves the cheese of accomplishment, not just any cheddar. Make it matter!

6). Even when they let you down, thinking about those you care about teaches you to love, forgive, and see the best in them. Could you extend that kindness to yourself?

7). Big shoutout to the parts of yourself that you don’t quite get, like creativity and courage. Your courage is like your runaway dog – you must chase it down and hold on tight.

8). You’re not the sole author of your victories or victims of your defeats. Act like you’ve been there before, either way.

9). Criticism might sting. Use the block button for the truly evil stuff. And when you chew on critique, separate the good advice from the bitter herbs.

10). Perfectionism might look good in shiny shoes, but he’s a jerk. There is no need to sharpen your pencils endlessly. Even the dull ones leave a mark. Start this journey and savor every moment.

11). A genuine smile disarms even the harshest critics. Impacting a few deeply is worth more than a negligible impact on many.

13). Your work isn’t a stepping stone. Find fascination in its unique shape. The idea that brought you here is good. When it’s time to put it to rest, accept that the next won’t be the same, but it’ll be something.

Keep going, keep growing!

I don’t solve my problems with genius solutions or out-of-the-box ideas. Well, maybe sometimes 😉. Most of the time, I solve problems and get over obstacles step by step—action by action. No one can stop me except me when I get in my way. It’s never grandiose. It often feels like a struggle. But in reality, it’s just doing the small thing before me. The small thing isn’t so small. The same principles apply to well-being. Small steps are no small thing. Huge deficits or hurt feelings aren’t taken down with a silver bullet. It’s slow, deliberate work. It’s doing the next right thing. And the next right thing, and the next right thing. No one can stop you from that but you.

The more important a project or any endeavor is to your growth, the more resistance you will feel to it. When I say resistance, I mean the tendency to procrastinate, self-doubt, distraction, confusion, fear… all things that sabotage your work. So it’s a good sign if you’re about to embark on something or are already in it and overwhelmed with resistance. It means that your project is important to your growth. Sit down, shut up, and do it.

We’re not perfect, and that’s no secret, especially to our kids. The real question is, have we become better over time? Have we improved since our kids were younger, or even just a few years ago? Can we say that we’ve changed for the better?

I read a story written by a son about his mother. He describes his mother’s transformation in the decades after his father’s passing.

After his mother’s journey of personal growth, he said, “She changed,” highlighting the rarity of such transformations in our mothers. How many of us will be able to be looked upon by our children with them knowing that, put simply, “we changed.”

It makes me wonder, will my kids be able to say the same about me? Will they notice our continual self-improvement instead of the common trend of becoming more set in our ways as we age?

Can they see that we’ve learned from our mistakes and rarely repeat them? Can they witness us evolving into better grandparents, despite not always getting it right as parents?

That’s my hope.

I ran into an old acquaintance in aisle 12 at the grocery store. Someone I hadn’t seen in years. He told me I looked like I’d been hitting the gym.

“What are you getting all fit for?” he asked.

I replied, “Life.”

Reflecting on the encounter later, I thought about my response. Underneath it all, I have a simple goal:

To continuously improve as I grow older.

It isn’t just about aging – I’m just trying to improve life. And the people I enjoy spending time with the most have the same AWARENESS.

It makes me think of the word: “practice.” For me, practice is about my parenting, job(s), faith, talking, relationships, writing, fitness, and much more. Thinking this way means I’m staying aware of what I’m doing in all areas of life instead of drifting along.

Another way to say it:

“Practice” means doing something purposefully, taking care of, and wanting to pursue growth. Awareness means paying attention to the feedback life is giving you.

I like these ideas. Part of my “practice” is writing them down and sharing them.

I wanted to break down some of the things we hear people say all the time and define them against everyday life:

– “Doing something on purpose” means living with intention.

– “Taking care” can mean focusing on meaningful things and/or bringing meaning to the mundane.

– “Wanting to grow” makes me think of “kaizen,” another excellent idea from Japan, which is about small, continuous improvements that make us better every day.

– “Feedback” is critical to improving because it underscores being capable of “adapting,” which only becomes more important as we age.

Ultimately, this isn’t about perfecting everything or comparing yourself to others. It’s about being present and paying attention in everything we do daily, aka being “accountable.”

All those words I put in quotes are buzz words that orbit around the same thing: improvement.

This is me talking to you like we’re at coffee, and as I finish that last sip, I’d like to conclude by doing a thing. Maybe a few of you will follow what I’m up to and by all means, join in.

It’s all in the effort to continue getting better at life.

1. Wake up early. I’ll define early as by 6 AM.

2. Write down my thoughts before bed. Like right now, I’m writing this under my reading light.

3. Exercise 4 days a week for no less than 30 minutes, i.e., getting sweaty.

4. Sit in silence for 10 minutes.

5. Walk or ride a bike every day for 30 minutes. This is separate from exercise.

6. Read an actual book for 10 minutes a day. I prefer the Bible.

Do you want to join me?

People like us do things like this.

Isaiah 5:20 says:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

I turned to the Bible during COVID-19 out of frustration. From my point of view, the leaders I once trusted were calling bad “good” and good “bad.” Things needed to be clarified.

No one stepped up to clarify, and all good cities were burning down.

Dr. Suess described my feelings best in his masterpiece, “The Sneetches,” when he wrote:

“No one knew… if this one was that one, or that one was this one, or which one was what one, or what one was who.”

The Bible provided me with comfort, solace, and moral guidance.

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John helped me during those times of uncertainty and distress. The life and ministry of Jesus Christ offered me a comprehensive understanding.

Jesus’ teachings, actions, and significance gave me a profound source of a deeper understanding of faith.

Today, I’m sharing Isaiah 5:20 because it warns against moral confusion and the distortion of values.

Every day, I encounter situations and behaviors that make me reflect on right and wrong, good and evil, and the importance of maintaining moral clarity and values.

Those who know me best know that I’m no angel. I’ve certainly made my share of mistakes.

Which is why writing this post feels awkward, and that’s also why I’m writing it.

I’m making a recommendation to read the Bible.

I’m a book reader. I’ve always been a book reader, but now… I’ve abandoned all books and prefer reading the Bible – 10 minutes daily.

Once upon a time, my ex-father-in-law, who has since passed, recommended that I read the story of Jesus. I said No thanks. I think of him often because 27 years later, I understand what he was trying to lead me toward. It’s a good path to follow.

I have found the Bible as a source of strength, guidance, and hope.

The Bible offers a rich collection of verses and teachings. It provides a sense of purpose, moral grounding, and a connection to something greater than myself. Especially as a committed Father, I trust that the understanding of some of the most difficult challenges is found in the Bible.

I read a headline from Wired [dot] com that read:

“Preferring Biological Children Is Immoral.”

Headlines like that usurp God with the audacity of the devil.

Being sensitive and astute to language, I encounter this type of audacity every day.

The internet is like a wild ride with content from all walks of life.

Many of the publications I used to love are now captured entities.

So when I close my laptop and put my phone down, it’s the Bible that works as a counterbalance, and that helps me feel more reassured and resolute.

I would like to conclude by bringing it back to Isaiah 5:20.

These verses are part of a series of “woes” that warn against pride, arrogance, and self-righteousness. It cautions against individuals who trust their wisdom and understanding, thinking they are clever and self-sufficient rather than relying on God’s guidance and wisdom. The verse reminds us to remain humble and acknowledge our dependence on divine wisdom.

I take that advice to heart, and maybe you can, too.

With love and respect.