This week the bag is all video. Back in 2004, David Foster Wallace gave this commencement speech at Kenyon College called, “This is water.” It has since taken on a life of it’s own. Here it is in video form, the most effective at reaching those sitting in front of computer screens.
I’ve written about my understandings of introverts and along with that my understanding of myself along the way. But as I’ve written and talked and shared with others what I’ve learned, I’ve been put in a box of sorts. I don’t like fences. Don’t fence me in. Sing it now…
Let’s be clear.
There are introverts and then there are introverts. Not all are created equal.
On the scale of 1-100, with 100 being the never talking introvert, I’m somewhere around the 50 mark. Again, not all introverts are created equal.
Introverts are not necessarily submissive. Just because I get energized by time alone, doesn’t mean you can walk all over me. I have opinions. Some of them are strong opinions.
I’ve come to believe that many kind-hearted extroverts are terrified of introverts. Don’t be scared. Just be yourself, I’d expect nothing less.
Introverts do like to talk. I may be the most verbal person you ever meet. I love to talk. I’ll talk myself out of something if I talk enough. I process things verbally, and I don’t even need anyone to talk with…although I’d prefer an actual person to talk with.
I may not ever be the guy with a lampshade on his head at the party, but I can still be a lot of fun. Please invite me along for the fun.
I’ll gladly wear the lampshade on my head if you put me on stage with a few thousand people around to watch. Something in my introverted-ness that shakes that off pretty easily for performance sakes.
I’m private by nature, but this is something God is changing in me. I don’t want to be guilty of using my unique personality as an excuse to be a jerk. (This one is for the introverts out there…)
Thanks for the listen. Calling all introverts, anyone out there need to add to this list? Anything I’m not clear enough on?
Roots for the Journey is available TODAY!
What started as a lullaby CD for Yancy’s son with songs all based on scripture, soon became a really nice, relaxed worship experience. The music, organic, unplugged and simple featuring upright bass, glockenspiels and cello in addition to acoustic guitars and piano, nicely accompaniments the eternal Word of God. These songs have the power to strengthen the faith of all Christians, young and old.
“Taking key scriptures and truths that I wanted to pass on to my son and make sure he knew and understood the direction and answers these scriptures provide us was important. As I worked in the studio, I realized that with how the music was shaping up and the fact that the Bible is true whether you’re an infant or a grown up these songs had more potential. Already when I meet people in my life that are facing big mountains, fears or need answers, I’ve been able to use these songs as a way to help strengthen their faith and help them meditate on what God’s Word says.” – Yancy
Any adult will love this music! Anyone who needs a little peace and comfort added to their crazy day will benefit from not only the music but God’s promises from His Word in this music. Plus, Yancy covers her own song she wrote for Avalon 12 years ago “I Don’t Want to Go”.
- Order the CD today! We are offering a great deal on a pack of 5 CD’s too. Get some to give to others who are needing encouragement or use in classrooms, etc. Or you can download from iTunes and other digital outlets.
- Watch and listen as Yancy shares first hand why she made the album and what “Roots for the Journey” is all about!
- Here is a music video for the song “Safe”from “Roots for the Journey”. Share this new music with your friends and co-workers!
There are days that I’m parenting, and think…“This really matters. Right now, what I’m doing matters. I wish other parents knew how much this really mattered!” It was a collection of those moments that led me to start tracking them more closely. Of course, there were way too many of them to list on any one blog page. So I boiled them down to these 5 things.
Here are 5 Ideas that Matter for my Family:
Adventure matters. Building faith by taking risks, doing things that hurt and cause pain, venturing into the unknown, and holding hands as a family throughout big change. We don’t create adventure necessarily for adventure’s sake, but we do look for the adventure in all that we do. I’ve seen it through foster parenting, changing jobs, changing schools, and going to new places with new friends. Adventure really matters. It exposes the real us, while also bringing us together.
Fun matters. Vacations and birthday parties really have a place. They matter because memories matter. As a father, I’m the one that carries the mantle for making sure we laugh and enjoy our times together. There is fun to be had on very little money, just lay back far enough to let it happen. I want my kids to really ‘act their age’ and that age is fun!
Talking matters. Everything should happen within the context of sincere relationship. We don’t need forgiveness from people we don’t know. Want your kid to be able to ask for forgiveness? Then let them get to know you. That only happens through quality time spent in building relationships. It’s not always easy work getting everyone talking, but when families talk we become a better family. Talk it out!
Learning matters. Getting better at school, learning a new sport, or becoming more adept at using an instrument. We learn, we listen, we learn, we listen…repeat. We are the best teachers our kid will ever have, but we also learn as we lead them. Build a heart for learning in your kids by being a learner yourself. Watch television that has a point, read books that interest the entire family, and share your spiritual growth experiences with your children. Learn something!
Community matters. Our family is important, but it’s still a family within a family. There are other dads, moms, and 5th graders in the world. We are all in this together, and our kids need to see it. Go to church, share community. Make it a priority, and watch the community come to your rescue as you lead your own family. It really works, and I believe in it enough to dedicate my entire professional life to helping it do so!
As Friday’s lend themselves to playing catch-up, here is some Internet Gold that I’ve loved over the past few weeks.
The Gospel and the (Im)perfect Marriage - “Depending on how well we do in our own eyes, perfectionism can play out in a variety of negative responses: feelings of worthlessness, inordinate preoccupation with the opinions of other people, paralyzing fear, impatience with others, and a sense of superiority.”
Shaping a Child’s Soul: A task to Important to be Entrusted to a Professional - “Efficiency is not the goal of gospel-motivated ministry.”
How to Save Money around the Home - “Sometimes we put these small changes off because we forget just how much money we could save if we do them.”
The Secret to Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids - “We live in complex times. As I work with thousands of parents and faculty each year, I’m increasingly convinced we have a more engaged set of adults who care about kids today than at any time since I began my career in 1979. Simultaneously, however, I am observing a more troubled population of kids, especially by the time they reach their teen years. It appears at first like an oxymoron. How can such a cared-for generation experience such emotional difficulties?”
