We've All Got Stuff

I was booked to do a motivational presentation at a corporate function. That's one of the things I do. I travel around and share with anybody who will listen that they have a future just waiting to meet them and with the right attitude, it can be shaped into something extraordinary. I share with people the need to look beyond their circumstances and help them move into better living.

Well, let's just say as I was preparing for it, I had a moment of doubt as to why I, of all people, am doing a motivational presentation.  Now, my friend Derrick Tennant, he is a motivational speaker. Because of an injury as a child he was told he wouldn't walk again. He has experienced brain surgery, coma, and paralysis. He spent a portion of his life in a wheelchair and after much rehab and even more determination, he does walk, even with limited use of his whole left side.

He is also funny and has a great attitude which is a winning combination for a motivational speaker. He can share his story with people in a way that makes them feel like "wow, if he can deal with that and come out laughing, then I guess my situation isn't so bad." His goal is to motivate people to overcome their obstacles and move on to better living.

Well, I've been through stuff in my life, too. I won't share it with you here and now because I've just shared Derricks with you. My stuff doesn't compare with his. He has a way better hook than I do. And as a motivational speaker, that just isn't fair. "Gee Dwayne, that sounds like kind of a jerk thing to say". I agree. Trust me, I wouldn't have posted this if Derrick didn't fully agree with the content and the point that I am about to make.

"Well, what is the point you are about to make, jerk?" Well, stick with me for a moment and I'll tell you.  I recently spent some time in Nashville with Derrick and some of my other funny friends at the Christian Comedy Association Conference. I also spent this past weekend with several people who have seriously extreme stories of overcoming.

These are people who have overcome physically debilitating injuries or addictions. People who have gone from convicted murderer to productive member of society. And people who have suffered the horrific loss of children and all are now sharing about living a life for Christ. These people are awesome and God has big plans for them. He has spared them and they are using their time and opportunities to share about the importance of right choices, right attitudes and Jesus Christ in their lives.

The point I am making is this: most people tend to view their own life story in the context of the story of someone else. We look at our lives as being either better or worse than another life. And the problem with that is that it unduly minimizes us or them. Looking at life in comparison to that of someone else can cause us to see in terms of what is "fair" or what we "deserve" when we really should be looking at life for what it is: life.

My story is mine and yours is yours and we each have a choice to be content with the way it's unfolding or to make changes. It's good to encourage others or be encouraged by the overcoming of obstacles in life. That's exactly what we are supposed to do. But don't make the mistake of minimizing a life story, not even your own. You, me, Derrick, all of us, we matter. God loves us all and has plans for each of us. The question really is this: Are you going to spend your time comparing yourself with others, or getting on board His plan for your life?

Checkout my friend Derrick at his site www.leftarmcomedy.com. For my booking information, check me out at www.funnybutclean.com, by e-mail at dwaynecastle40@yahoo.com, or by phone at 419-961-1265. And if you like the blog posts, subscribe and share.

Learning to live (like a squirrel)

Like a squirrel? Are you nuts? Well, maybe a little but finish reading  the entire post before making an evaluation of my mental state. As I go on to describe this, I know you will think it sounds kind of Disneyesque or maybe even contrived. All I can say is that it is all true and there are lessons to be learned if you stick with me.

You see, we have a bird feeder that hangs from a branch on a tree out back. We watch the animals from the deck or through the kitchen window. Whenever we fill it up, we  also sprinkle some feed on the ground and the squirrels and rabbits show up to  snack. When the birds feed, they make a mess spilling it onto the ground as kind of a bonus for the congregating rodents below. (For my wife's benefit, please note with all sincerity that the term rodent is being used in a purely "Animal Planet" phylum/genus kind of way, not in a derogatory manner.)

We soon realized we could learn a lot from a squirrel. I am not talking about all squirrels or even squirrels in general. Just one, different and specific squirrel.  A lone, black squirrel.  For almost two years our back yard has been visited by several gray squirrels at a time, but one day this particular squirrel arrived on the scene and really shook things up in the world of squirrel. When I say different, I don't just mean in appearance, I mean in attitude. 

Up to this point, all of the squirrels were content getting their food from the ground. That's even what the new guy did when he showed up.  But it didn't take long for him to start looking up at the bird feeder, the source, seeming to ponder the possibilities. "Why do I have to wait for the food to come to me? Why can't I go get it? What's stopping me?" And that's when things changed. We watched for several days. While the other squirrels kept their faces buried in the grass, scavenging, this one would frequently look up almost longingly at the floating storehouse above. 

Apparently he couldn't take it any longer because one morning he climbed the tree, jumped onto the roof of the garage, jumped onto the branch holding the birdfeeder and climbed straight down to it. He gripped the plastic feeder, slipped, and fell the 6 feet to the ground. He climbed back up the tree, and started the process again. 

It took a few tries, but pretty soon he was mastering it, holding on upside down with his back legs and pulling the food out with his front paws. I am assuming that's what you call squirrel hands... paws. He had this entire feeder, to himself. No foraging, just him and the source. And whenever it was emptied, it would miraculously fill back up. Okay, it wasn't really a miracle. It was Deborah or I filling it up so we could continue enjoying the show, but to a squirrel, maybe it seemed miraculous.

Now, during his failed attempts, his furry friends didn't pay him any attention, other than to look up at him every now and then, probably trying to figure out his game. As a matter of fact, they never really paid attention to him before then either. On hindsight, they had been kind of stand-offish with him since his arrival. After all, he was different. Who can really know the thoughts of a squirrel? And by the way, when  A.D.D. squirrels' get distracted, do the other squirrels mock him with cries of "Human!"? (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) My guess is if these particular squirrels were people they were probably thinking that he was a bit crazy and acting weird. 

Of course, once he started missing the ground level feeding frenzy because he had it made, literally in the shade, they were like "Wow! What a great idea. I wonder if I could do that, too?" There were probably some who were thinking, "Hey, why does he get to eat from that thing, all by himself. That's not fair." But since this post isn't about capitalist squirrels vs socialsist squirrels, I am only going to focus on the positive. Some of the squirrels began taking turns at the source and others stayed on the ground, apparently unwilling to take the risk but willing to catch the falling crumbs.

What does any of this have to do with anything my prior posts?  Well, for starters, this squirrel was not content with living a meager existence, simply hoping to catch falling millet that the birds happened to drop down to him. He wanted more and when he found that there was a source for better living he jumped at it. He even failed at first, but kept trying until he got the hang of it. And he didn't seem to mind that he was different, or let the crowd hold him back.

Secondly, when he did better for himself, the squirrels that remained below were blessed because his blessings spilled over. And those that followed him up, found that being closer to the source was much better than foraging on their own. 

I ask you this... Are you content with your circumstances, existing and foraging, or do you want better... more? How close are you to the source? Are you willing to risk, in order to live better? And finally, are you willing to take others with you or will you keep it all to yourself? I want share my source with you. The way to get to Him, is through His son, Jesus. And He doesn't go on vacation, leaving me to fend for myself, the way the squirrels have to, when I go away. If you want more detail, contact me.

If you enjoyed this post, let me know. Share with others, subscribe to future posts and make comments. If you would like me to perform, or speak to your group or church, please contact me at 419-961-1265, dwaynecastle40@yahoo.com, or check out my website at www.funnybutclean.com.

Lessons From a Racing Legend

Let's go camping she says. My prim and proper, every bit a lady, wife has taken to primitive camping. By primitive, I mean clean restrooms and shower facilities, camp activities, camp store, and a tent. All conveniently located minutes away from WalMart.

So, maybe that's not your idea of primitive camping, but I will take it. For her, this is adventure. For me, this is love. Okay, I get sappy now and then, so I've been told. This blog post isn't entirely about love and mushiness. It's also about racing.

Racing, you ask. Yep, racing. Nothing compares to the feel of the road below your wheels as you take a car around the track at speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour. Tires slipping/gripping the asphalt as you take a curve with G-Forces found in F/18 Fighter jets. At least that's what I've been told. I have never experienced that, but I have to tell you that driving a golf cart around a grass field was also a bit of a thrill. Now before you NASCAR fans scoff, read on, it may be worth it.

On this particular Saturday, the activity coordinator at Foxfire Campground scheduled a golf cart race. The object was to race around the course, staying inside the lane markers, avoiding the man-made obstacles such as the plastic barrels and natural obstacles such as the trees and pond. Oh yeah, trees and pond, baby.

The goal was to have the best time against the other drivers. And by the way, the drivers are blind-folded. What?! Yes. Blind-folded. I hear you thinking. No way. It's impossible to drive over hill and dale, avoiding barrels and trees, and pond, while blind-folded. You would be right, except that also going along for the ride is your navigator who tells you when to go left or right, or "STOP! that body of water is getting too close."

When we found out about the races, I thought this would be fun to watch. My wife on the other hand resolved to enter this race and that I would be her navigator. Fortunately we did not go first. We had the luxury of watching the others and it was a hoot. You could see the navigators pointing left but yelling right. You could see them covering their eyes and the look of fear as they approached the plastic white barrels and trees. Like I said, a hoot.

It was all fun and games until we took our turn. I have to admit that I am an awful passenger. Some even say control freak. I disagree with the latter assessment, but this is America and people are entitled to their opinion. Prior to covering her eyes, Deborah took a few more glances at the course, committing the layout to memory before going blind. We were given the command to go and boy did we take off like a shot. Well, not really a shot so much as an angry turtle.

We first began rolling down the hill and I began calling for her to ease left, left. LEFT! "Don't yell at me, you make me nervous!" she said. Okay, turn right. Right. RIGHT! "Honey, why are you going so slow? You have to step on the gas."

In my defense, I wasn't previously aware that her motor skills were an issue, but apparently when her hands were being used to steer, her foot would tend to ease off the gas or onto the break. It was kind of like the whole rub your tummy, pat your head type of thing. She just couldn't do gas and wheel at the same time. I know right now someone is considering the tummy/head thing and it's okay, nobody is looking, go for it. Like I said, this is America.

We eventually made it to the finish line in record making time. I don't know if it was really a record, but I have a hard time thinking anybody else has ever gone that slow before. Then subtract the penalties for going out of bounds, repeatedly, we didn't have a chance. But then, after all of the other racers took their turns, we were told we could switch places. What? Really? I can do this? Yes.

I took my position in the driver's seat, took a last look at the course, and then donned the blind-fold. Whew! It was dark in there. I got the command, "Go!" and I gunned it. If I hit 5mph, I hit every bit of 12. We were cruising at top speed with a panic stricken navigator yelling at me to go left, now right. "Stay in the lines." she says. I reminded her that I was driving blind and that "I can't see the lines, honey. You have to tell me what to do."

She yells at me to hurry, go right. Sharp right. We are going to hit the speed bump, as we hit the speed bump. It was then I remebered that the speed bump was just before the two barrels and the finish line was just beyond. Much to her dismay, I floored it, while she screamed for me to ease left and right until we crossed the finish line.

The whispers began as suddenly as we crossed the line. We might have done it. We may have won. There were a couple more racers and although they gave a valiant effort, they could not best our time. The announcement was made. We had in fact won, becoming the 2012 Foxfire Camping Golf Cart Racing Champions.

The crowd erupted. "Woohoo!", "Yes!", "Great job!", "You sir, are a legend." Okay, well there were about a dozen people who congratulated me with smiles and nods. I could have been called a legend. You never know.

Later that night, while rejoicing in our victory, it occurred to me how much this was so much an analogy of life. I know you are asking yourself, how can golf cart racing be anything close to life? Stick with me for a moment.

People have choices in life. We can go through life not doing anything, not getting anywhere, because we are afraid to hit the gas. Our dreams and plans wither and die because there is no movement or momentum. Others are moving, blindly, hitting every obstacle in their path. A tree here or a pond there. Maybe going in a completely wrong direction from where they want to be.

But to finish and finish well, we need a trustworthy navigator. My wife was a much better navigator than I was. However, Jesus is the ultimate navigator. We can trust him to not yell at us. He can take us way beyond our dreams and plans, into so much more than what we could ever do if we live in fear or flail blindly in this life. He can see around the corners and knows where the obstacles are. He can help us avoid them, or reroute us when they happen. In fact He is already at the finish line, waiting on us. He made a way for us to get there already. We have won, with Him guiding us, if we follow His guidance.

What dreams and plans are you sitting on today? What kind of fear is holding you back? Why not give it all to God and let Him help steer your life?