Category: Creative Vulcan

passion in dog food

Passion is powerful, even in dog food

passion in dog food

Recently, Adena and I discovered that the dog food we had been buying for our beagle was less than ideal. It seemed like Millie would want to eat non stop and was rarely satisfied. I did some research and found out there were some ingredient issues with what I was buying. Off to the pet store I went, to try and find a dog food that might be better suited. Just between you and me (and the whole internet of course, since this is public), these are the kinds of things that made me not want to get a dog. How much money was I going to have to spend to find a good dog food? Surely the pet store person would steer me to the most expensive food.

Passion changed my perspective

My experience was far different than I expected however. I walked into the pet store, two associates by the door, and I explained my dilemma. One of the associates walked me back to the food aisle and proceeded to show me a number of options, including the various advantages and disadvantages of each. Rather than feeling sold, I was refreshed by the zeal this individual had regarding their own dog and what had worked for them, plus how their own experience might help me make a better decision. As I made a choice, I was kindly coached on how to introduce this change to Millie’s diet and what to do if allergy or other issues showed up. I walked away, pleased with my purchase, and only spending a little more than I had before.

Reflecting on this experience, I could have chalked it up to a better store, higher pay rates than average retail establishments, or quality training programs, but there was something more here. The individual who helped me was passionate about dogs and their care. And that passion came through in her service to me as a customer. So much that it enveloped me and I probably would have spent even more because I was so convinced that this would be the right thing for Millie. I went in prepared to be sold something but instead I was passionately served. And that experience convinced me that I will happily shop in that store again.

Passion is powerful

Passion is powerful and it’s contagious. Find yours and let it show.

Overcoming a Fall, even at the Olympics

overcoming a fall

I have now seen it half a dozen times and I’m amazed every time. When the Winter Olympics roll around, my girls are very into figure skating. We have watched at least three nights of figure skating competition at this point and the thing that impresses me most is how fast they get up after a fall! I’m thinking – these athletes are on a world stage, have trained for years, and are competing for one of the highest honors in this field; a fall must be super disappointing! I personally would want to crawl into a hole and never show my face again. But what I’m seeing is the opposite. They get up as fast as possible and keep going! Watching these athletes overcoming a fall is refreshing. I am realizing in their case that the only way to get points is to keep going. Quitting in response to a fall guarantees defeat, but getting back up means they may take a deduction or may just not get as many points as they were hoping. For their score is about the sum of an entire routine, not just the one move that resulted in the fall.

“for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again…” (Proverbs 24:16 NIV)

I feel like this is true in our spiritual lives as well. When we fall to a challenge or even to a temptation, our effectiveness will be based on how fast we get back up, get back in the game, and get back about God’s business. The enemy would love to have us focus on the fall and not get back up. But only by getting up will we be able to re-engage in God’s work and purpose for our lives. And our effort is going after something even greater than an Olympic gold. How well are you overcoming?

Lessons from Millie… Turning off the agenda

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We got a dog for Christmas. Yep, I finally gave in. Those who are closer to us know that I have been holding out on this one, while Adena and the girls have wanted a dog for years.

It hasn’t been a surprise that much of Millie’s regular walks are handled by yours truly. The girls are not quite to the point of doing it on their own. And when given the opportunity of staying home or walking with us, they frequently prefer the former, especially while it’s been cold outside.

To give Adena room to focus on homeschooling and starting the day well, I typically take Millie out for her morning jaunt around the block right before I head out to work. One of our recent strolls, I was struck with a revelation – Millie has no agenda and maybe it would be good for me to try turning off my agenda sometimes.

Too much on my mind

You see, when we head out, I have two or three things in my head.
1. Millie needs to take care of her, ahem, business.
2. We need to get around the block and back to the house.
3. What will I be moving onto next in my day? My first meeting, the pressing project, the unfinished work from yesterday, etc.

But Millie isn’t thinking about any of those things. She’s enjoying the sights and sounds of our neighborhood which somehow change every day for her, while they look exactly the same for me. She’s taking her time and if she wants to stop, just to sniff a patch of grass, she will do just that. In fact, I’m even starting to see that sometimes she is just happy to be WITH ME!

Turning off

And then it occurred to me, I might need to follow Millie’s example from time to time and try turning off my agenda. It isn’t necessary to have an agenda every moment of the day. Or even every day of the week. (I’ve written a post on the importance of margin here; guess I needed a new object lesson on that!)

Make some time today for turning off your agenda. Go for a walk and see the sights and sounds of your neighborhood. And try to do it with fresh eyes. Millie and I may see you there!