From Crisis to Crisis

So many of us spend our lives careening from one crisis to another, never taking the difficult step of assuming control of our own lives. How much better might our lives be if we could shift our focus from who’s to blame to what can I do?


Goals Status:

  • Marathon: On Track. I’ll do four miles this morning, if the lightning holds off long enough.
  • Two Square Yards of Earth: Stalled. I haven’t worked on it in almost two weeks. I expect to make time for it this weekend.
  • 100 Posts: Behind Schedule. This is my 31st post for the year.

Let’s say climate change isn’t the result of human action. Let’s say it isn’t even happening. Isn’t it still a good idea, in a world of seven billion people and counting, to do all we can to use what we have responsibly? Doesn’t it make sense to be as frugal with our natural resources as we are with our financial resources to avoid the crisis of running out?

Let’s say cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are not diseases of the environment. Let’s say we have no control over whether they affect us or not. Isn’t it still a good idea to keep our bodies fit, to spend a little effort keeping ourselves active and eating well to avoid the crisis of overweight and chronically tired?

Let’s say my wife and I are committed to loving each other until one of us dies, to staying together no matter what happens. Isn’t it still a good idea for me to make sure her experience is as good as I can make it? Doesn’t it make sense for me to do everything I can to share her burdens, to keep her happy to avoid mutual misery later?

I’m convinced one of the differences between those who live courageous, victorious lives and those who just survive day to day is the former deal with potential issues before they become crises. Courage and victory come in large part from recognizing and addressing life’s speed-bumps before they become mountains.

I’m taking action to make the life I want. What are you doing?

I've been a soldier, a dreamer, a working stiff, a leader. A husband, father, example (good and otherwise), and now a survivor. I write about courage, because courage is what enables us to accomplish the impossible. If you draw breath, I love you. If you love in whatever way seems best to you and want others to love in whatever way seems best to them, I am your ally. If you believe someone is less than you because they do not love the way you do, I oppose you. If you see someone as a threat to be abused or destroyed merely because they do not look like you, or love like you, or worship like you, I am your enemy. I am a joyful and courageous man. And I stand with you who love.