What I learned in US Army over 6 years, You can Learn in 3 mins.

I was in the Military. For 6 years. It was an experience to say the least. While in the military, there is a ton of stuff that you learn. Like shining boots, waxing floors, and keeping your mouth shut. Actually, I could probably write a blog a day for a year about the things I learned in the Army.

Here's one for you today- when I was in the Army, we learned a key phrase, it was called 'missing movement'. Now for some people that may have some different connotations, but for us, it meant, if the convoy leaves, and you're not there. You're toast.

Here's how it works- you're in a unit. In this unit there can be 30 to 300 people. At planned times throughout the year, you go to 'the field'. Which means, you pack up every last thing that you have ever been issued in the Army, throw it in a Humvee (or whatever type of vehicle that you are assigned) and drive out into the middle of no where and train.

Usually, they plan to leave for these Government sponsored camping trips at about 4 in the morning. You line up all the vehicles, and you all drive out to the training area together. As a team, in convoy. If you don't make it in time, its called "missing movement". If that happens, they take your rank, your pay, and you have to perform extra duty for 15-45 days. It sucks.

This is what you learn from that- don't ever be late for anything. Ever. If you have a time that you have to be somewhere. You are there early, not on time. On time is late.

For some odd reason, the Army doesn't take well to "I overslept" or "my car wouldn't start" or " I really wasn't feeling that well". If you really want to get ol' Uncle Sam mad, don't show up at all. They'll not only take your pay and time, you could do some time. Seriously, you can go to jail for not showing up to work.

Here's what you learn in the Army, being late affects everyone, not just you. When you are late it is for no other reason than your decisions leading up to being late made you late. Not circumstance itself.

I'm not late because I woke up late. I'm late because I chose to go to bed late and not get up when my alarm went off. I chose to lay there and listen to my wave machine for 10 more minutes than to get up.

What's the nugget? I like this bible verse- Proverbs 20:25 (The Message) 25 An impulsive vow is a trap; later you'll wish you could get out of it.

Don't be late. Don't make commitments you don't intend to keep. Don't blame it on circumstance. Own up to what role you had to play. You made choices and those choices included being late.

Blessings!
matt

Talking Bout Some Great Television

There is some utter and complete garbage on the television right now. You can tell where society has gone, by watching some of the trash that exists on it. I can't describe in great detail what some of these shows are like. I can tell you if I feel uncomfortable after watching the commercial, its probably pretty likely that the show isn't going to be much better.

It seems as if though every program now has a 'viewer discretion advised', and that includes the cartoon shows on FOX. Most of these shows, as it appears are filled with debauchery- I know that's a big word, let me give you the definition- extreme indulgence in sensuality. Its quite annoying. What happened to the Brady Bunch and Family Matters? Full House anyone?

I can remember back in elementary school when people were upset about the A-Team because they thought it was 'too violent'. Watch one of those episodes now. Its laughable to call it violent. Its a Broadway musical compared to what's on TV today.

There is one show on right now that I stumbled upon (because of the SuperBowl) called 'Undercover Boss'. If you haven't seen it, you need to. Its TV at its best. Its a show about CEOs that go undercover at their own company to see how the 'working man'(and women) deal with their daily jobs. It is full of great life lessons.

It shows how hard entry level people have to work. It shows immigrants that love being in America. It portrays the good side of people and the rewards that hard work produces. Everyone I've talked to that has seen it, loves it. Bring some tissue. Its a tear jerker at times.

Here's the deal- a lot of people deplore television because of the tripe that is on it, but that's like saying I wont use a car because people use them as getaway cars in robberies. There is some good stuff on that thing, you just have to look for it. Yes, don't spend your life looking for it by watching 8 hours a day, but there is nothing wrong with catching a good bit of entertainment now and again.

What's the nugget? don't watch bad TV that leads you to unhealthy thoughts and actions. Watch TV that encourages you to be a better person or teaches you something. Watch Undercover Boss and tell me what you think.

Be blessed
matt

That's Right....Block Watch Captain....CAPTAIN!!!!

You got it. Last night, I became a block watch captain. I'm not sure how I achieved the rank of captain so easily, but I guess I did. I would have thought that I should have started as a private or something. I'll take the promotion though.

I live in a neighborhood that is a bit notorious in our city. Its called Timberlane. Its the biggest development in our town. It has about 1000 houses in it. It was built in the 70s, has a bunch of trees, and sadly a more than fair share of crime.

We have graffiti, wannabe gangsters, car prowls, vandalism, and a lot of trash and such. Not just food trash, like mattresses and old microwaves. Its quite annoying. Its not like that directly on my street, but when you go around the other areas of the development, it gets a bit worse.

Crystal and I have noticed this stuff for quite a few years. We didn't really know it was this type of neighborhood when we moved in, but what can we do now but work on improving it. When I got an email saying that someone was starting a block watch for our development, I went last night and got involved. Everyone who showed up was made the captain of their block.

Here's the deal- we all have busy lives. Things that we have to do, and things that we want to do. There is a third column- the things we should do. Its easy to forget to add a few into that column also. Its much easier to leave the 'should dos' to someone else. In this case, it might be a bit easier if someone else was doing this block watch thing.

What's the nugget? Why am I telling you about my new civic para-military organization? Initially, I didn't want to volunteer for this. I don't really have the time to commit to it, but I feel like if I'm going to complain about something, I should do something about it.

It seems that a lot of people don't get involved in things that matter anymore. They don't get involved at their kids schools, in politics, in their neighborhoods, in their churches. Too many people seem to at times to be content with sitting on the sidelines and allowing someone else to do it all, and just soak up the work of everyone else.

I like- 2nd Thessalonians 3:6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

There is a lot of people out there that do a whole lot of nothing. Don't be a person like that. Get in there and get your hands dirty once in a while and help some people.

You may even achieve the rank of 'Captain'

blessings
matt

My Birthday Is Over

Yesterday was fantastic. It was my birthday. I turned 35 years old. I think I may be getting a bit older.

Some reasons I think I may be getting older:

1. Things seem a bit loud to me at times.
2. I think that 'kids' are disrespectful and then realize that they are high schoolers.
3. I'm choosing cereal based on the fiber content, not the toy in the box.
4. When in a store to buy something, people are more often calling me 'sir'.
5. I'm exercising for health, not for looks.
6. I used to hate going to bed and loved getting up, now I love going to bed and hate getting up.

Those are just a few I came up with. Getting old is fine with me. I'm looking forward to grey hair. I think I'll look pretty sweet with it.

It was great yesterday- got a lot of birthday wishes, was able to eat a few donuts, a slurpee, and went out to my favorite restaurant for dinner (Buca di Beppo). It doesn't get much better than that.

Here's the deal- I must admit, I kinda liked the bit of attention on my birthday. Its nice to feel loved. Its nice to have a day that is just about me. Where I can do what I want and have what I want. A day when people go out of their way to make me feel special.

Here's the flip side though. There are 364 other days of the year when its not about me. Those are the days when it has to be about everyone else. Sometimes I wonder if people get that number backwards- they think every day is about them, and not about others.

You have the choice- either you can live your life consumed with yourself, or consumed with others. The interesting part of it is that when you spend your life consumed with others, you in turn are able to be blessed for yourself. Its paradoxical, but its true. God set it up that way- lose your life to find it.

It may not the birthday of someone you love today, but you can still go out of your way to make them feel special. Give them a call, send them a note, drop by with a gift. The love that you give to other people always comes back to you.

Also- remember its not all about you. You get a day here and there- but don't be consumed with getting all of your own needs met everyday. Go meet some other people's needs, and yours will get met in the midst of it.

Be blessed today. Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

matt

So Simple.... Why Doesn't Everyone Do It?

I'm going to get on my soapbox this morning and complain about something. Its been bothering me for a quite a while, and I think its time I get this off my chest. It bothers me almost every day, and if I don't address it, I'm not sure how much longer I can take it.

Here it is- when I go to a retail establishment it absolutely annoys me that people don't put their carts back. You know what I'm talking about? When you go to a store, and try to pull into a parking slot and someone took their cart and left it there so you cant park there? Or my personal favorite, the "I'll put two wheels up on the curb instead of putting it away" person. I'm sure you've noticed like I have that people leave carts even one parking stall away from the cart collection area.

Its annoying. It frustrates me. Here's my take on what I think is going on.

1. A lot of people are inherently lazy. They don't want to walk an additional 10-20 feet to put back a cart. After all, they've just spent 20-30 mins walking around the store and all the way to their automobile. They couldn't possibly go another 20 feet.

2. A lot of people have a sense of entitlement. They feel as though they have paid for their goods and services and it entitles them to leave the cart for someone else to worry about. Its the job of someone else, so why should they worry about it?

3. A lot of people don't care if they inconvenience someone else. They live a very self-centered life. If someone else gets their car rammed by a runaway cart, or they block a parking spot, they don't care, because they've done what they wanted.

4. A lot of people have no sense of community. These are the same people who toss their cigarette butts everywhere. For some reason they either don't understand or don't care that eventually, someone is going to have to clean up, and they don't care that its not them.

I could go on, but this blog is supposed to be read in a few minutes, not a few hours.

Here's the point I'm making and its quite simple- put your shopping carts back. Every single time. The absolute most time it could take in any American shopping center is exactly 2.5 mins. Use that time as an opportunity to pray, or to talk to someone or to embolden your sense of civic virtue. We're all in this together folks, and if we can't get this cart thing taken care of, where will we be as a nation in 20 years?

Is there a Bible verse I can throw in with this one? How about Mark 12:33
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Love your neighbor as yourself. Put the cart back. Better yet, think about some other area of your life, and insert the word "cart" for some other activity and see how it reads.

Blessings
matt