What a Fool Believes
In 1978 I first saw the girl that captured my heart. It took me a while to get up the nerve to ask her out on a date but, dang I’m glad I did. I was smitten!
That same year, Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins teamed up to write a tune that would become the biggest hit ever recorded by the Doobie Brothers. What a fool believes (have a listen here if you’d like a trip down memory lane) was also about a guy who’d fallen for a gal, the romance had faded, but he believed he could reignite the flame that had once been. Alas, she’d moved on but, as the songs irony rang out, what a fool believes – he sees. *I’m glad my sweet girl and I continue on to this day!
Being married to my girl is the greatest honor of my life. Being dad and papa to our kids and grandkids ranks right behind that. In my professional life, being able to walk with and encourage other folks who, like me, are working hard to live well, be productive and healthy doing so … that is an honor indeed. Generally speaking, it’s why I have no interest in retirement – encouragement is my thing and, well, there’s lots of opportunity around these days!
How about you? How do you see things? Is your work a means to an end? If so – can you describe what that ‘end’ actually is? Is it enough money to ride off into the sunset, enough money to pay the bills, upgrade your lifestyle? It’s not an ethics question I’m raising here – it’s a purpose question. Why do you do what you do?
My occupation has been in the banking world (still is) for 35 years now. My vocation (calling) is to “DO” my occupation (banking guy) “IN” my true and whole self. I must be aware that my occupation as a banking guy will, if left unattended, become the source from which I get my sense of identity. *This is where we queue up the Minute By Minute album from our playlist and listen again to track #2, What a fool believes. Three+ minutes of smooth sounding, catchy reminder that the song is actually about someone who is…well…a fool.
That, friend, is not your identity. You are a good man or woman, created to do good work in this world, to bless others BECAUSE you are a blessing. You were created in love, for love, to sustain a world that veers off course and needs courageous folks (like us) to step in, walk alongside, and reorient both how we think and act. It all takes discipline and we do it together. And, frankly, it must start with the decision to do it right now, right here, right on this team as we occupationally do our thing. Just start here, today, like right now.
Some will doubt and some will do. Be a doer. Be the one who ponders these things in your heart and mind with the curiosity of a child who hears and believes the truth, from the One who created him; You are my beloved child.
There are lots of fools in the world. You’re not one of ‘em😊.
Sending today with a hug in my arms and a sparkle in my eye! You – now forward this on to someone you know who needs to hear it. Tell them that as you read this it made you think of them.
Peace~
Craig – craig@r12coaching.com
