Dreaming about a thing in order to do it properly is right; but dreaming about it when we should be doing it is wrong.

This quote is from a Christian preacher, Oswald Chambers, who lived into the early 1900s. The guy is intense. Real. No-nonsense.

I told my daughter last night to shower. 10 minutes later she was still clearly not in the shower. Why? She had chosen to do other things. She lost focus.

And she irritated me immensely!

But she also made me think about God. I wondered if God was irritated with me because He has told me to do things and I just get distracted with all sorts of other things, lose focus, and end up dreaming about doing those things instead of actually doing them.

Actually, I don’t really see God as getting irritated. Maybe more frustrated. Sort of like. “Look, John, I told you what to do – it’s right there. I’ve made you for this, got it all ready to go, now do it!” And then I see Him looking at me with compassion as I sit frustrated or depressed about not doing what I want to be doing because I am wondering “how will I be able to do this?” and “can this really be what I’m supposed to be doing?”

Basically, we don’t have faith. We don’t believe in the possibility of those dreams. (My daughter just didn’t care about getting showered, so clearly the similarities stop somewhere.)

So, for us to put our dreams into action, we have to first believe they are possible. Without that, we’ll never get anywhere.

Do you believe your dreams are possible?

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In reading Peter Block’s The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters, I came across an interesting revelation. It was, really, quite simple.

Ambition seeks recognition.

Block suggests we need to lose our ambition. And do things that simply matter to us. Not do things that we think others will find interesting or approve of.

How many things are you working towards right now in an effort to gain recognition? It might be working extra hard at work in hopes of a promotion, raise, or some sort of “attaboy.” It might be trying to write a book or song that you feel could be a worldwide hit. It might be trying to gain a large audience in the blogosphere.

Block argues that all of those goals put others in control of our lives.

I cannot distill it well here in a short post (without much more thought and effort). But think about it: Are you doing things that you love to do – regardless of who might notice – or are you doing them to impress or seek recognition from someone else?

It’s a scary question to ask. But it might help you align your life with the things that are truly important to you.

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Calm, but frustrated
At the tension between

What works?
and
What matters?

There’s something
- Right here
That matters

But what?

–
15 January 2007
1st comment explains what I was thinking.

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I’ve been to two funerals in the last week. Both people left notable legacies.

One was a woman I never met directly, but indirectly through her son. What a legacy she left.

Another was a high school teacher of mine who had a tremendous impact on my life and my musical journey.

Both funerals were wonderful celebrations of lives well lived.

The thing about great funerals is that they cause you to pause. Pause and think. Think about the impact you are making and how you will be remembered.

Am I having an impact like that?

I know, it’s not right to compare, but it’s also not wrong to get introspective every now and then and think about our lives and whether we need to make some changes.

One notable is that I missed my opportunity to tell this teacher how much he impacted my life. I missed my chance to tell him it was worth it. That regardless of all the crap he put up with, he made a difference – a big difference. I missed a chance to thank him for his encouragement. To tell him how that made all the difference.

Are there people in your life that you need to thank?

If you were gone tomorrow, how would you be remembered?

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Ben Delzer is a singer/songwriter/guitarist and leader of the indie band (with which I also play), standing mavis. I took a couple minutes to ask the following questions of him. Give this first MustardCast (aka Podcast) a listen. I hope his striving to make more of his passions will encourage you to make more of yours.

Length of the MustardCast:
13 min 41 sec

If you have iTunes, you can play the MustardCast now.

Otherwise, you can Download MustardCast #1 Featuring Ben Delzer of standing mavis (7.8 mb)

Features:
Some clips from standing mavis as well as interesting discussion around the following topics:

• Ultimately, do you feel this is your calling?
• What is the purpose of music to you?
• How do you balance that with responsibilities of family?
• What do you need from your spouse to help you stay motivated to create?
• How are you most often misunderstood?
• Discuss your approach to songwriting (i.e., music first, lyrics first, etc.)

I’m in the process of mixing down one of the songs highlighted in this MustardCast. I’ll post a link when that is ready for download.

You can learn a bit more about standing mavis and listen to a few studio and live tracks at their MySpace site: www.myspace.com/standingmavis.

BTW, please tell me what you think of these. I have a nice line up of interviews set up and I really want to make these as beneficial as possible to you.

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death happens

although

we live like
it doesn’t

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My blood flows full
Chemical composition
Unique

The energy hidden
Screaming silently

“Let me flow freely!”

How can I?

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He finds fruit
in the beauty
at the top

It’s a long way

He’s diligent
Working with his
“hands”

I cannot see
the immediate benefit

Nor do I know
what draws him
or leads him there

But he keeps
moving
staying
the course

–
5 June 2005
1st comment explains what I was thinking.

3 Comments »