Dr. Ivan Raley served for many years as my predecessor. Each morning he sends our staff a thought for the day. The following was an addendum to today's thought. I emailed him for permission to post it here. It is just another reminder about the importance of the journey.

Just a Small Part

When you get to my age in life you often wonder what you have accomplished. If you have done your best, made any kind of mark, and made any difference in the lives of others. That sometimes troubles me. I have been the father figure, more or less, for six children. I sometimes wonder what kind of job I have done in that awesome role. Last night I sat in a theater in Green Hills in Nashville and watched a short documentary written, directed, and produced by the youngest of those six, Jim. It was a tribute to Ken Berryhill, who gave the dream to Vanderbilt to start their own radio station and now in his late years has returned to be what he calls the 'Oldest Country D.J' in the world. It was very well done and if they had given awards for this type of film I am certain that it would have won. As I watched it I realized that I had given to Jim non of the talent, non of the ability which crossed that large movie screen, that came out of a talent he possessed. He used it well and I understood as I watched it why the Nashville Film Festival board of Governors had placed it in their schedule. While I had nothing to do with the talent that lit the screen maybe, just maybe I did give to Jim some of the belief that he could do anything he put his heart to doing. Now really that is enough for me, not to know, but to think that maybe, he received some words of encouragement from me along our journey together that gave him the heart to reach for his dreams. Being a father is a great responsibility. I could speak of the others and the joy they have each given to me but last night belonged to Jim. I am pleased to have had a small part in the lives of others.

Three Wooden Crosses

A few years ago Randy Travis sang a song about three wooden crosses along the side of the highway. The song told the story about the lives represented by those three crosses. As I drove home the other day, I too saw several crosses marking the end of life. I thought about the people whose lives were represented by those crosses as well. For them, that particular trip down the interstate was the end of the journey. I take arriving safely each time I travel for granted. There are no guarantees. Each trip could represent my last.

As I thought about that I had to ask what would that cross remind people about me. Would it be something that matters or just another cross? I have avoided referencing my faith in this blog, but now is the time for complete honesty. The cross on the side of the highway would matter because of the cross of Calvary. My journey is made easier because of the one who led the way. Each time I see the cross I am reminded of His journey for me. I am encouraged, and am reminded how safe my eternal travel will be thanks to Him.

A Long Pause

I am reminded of a scene from the movie "Driving Miss Daisy" in which Miss Daisy and her driver are on their way to visit relatives. They pull over and spend a leisurely afternoon eating sandwiches and drinking soda. It seemed so peaceful there. A place where time stood still. Unfortunately most of life is nothing like that. Since my last entry a lot of life has past me by. Where did the month of March go? And now April is here with no indications that it will be any slower than the previous month. Perhaps its time for a long pause. Maybe its time to find a place to simply pull over and enjoy the scenery.

Finding ways to enjoy the moment is sometimes difficult to do. Someone ask me the other day what I enjoyed doing for fun. It was hard to come with an appropriate response. I do enjoy walking, which I do mainly for exercise. Sometimes I walk simply to clear my head and think through things. Hobbies have never really been a part of my life. I enjoy a number of activities, but have never really adopted one as my own. Maybe that should be a side road to my journey, finding something that I enjoy doing and making it a point to participate in doing it more often.

Road Sign Ahead

Today was a day of reminiscing. I have been going through all of my old files preparing for the move. As I come across some folders I think to myself, why on earth did I save that. And then there are other folders that are opened and bring back a flood of memories. Looking back over the last several years I have been blessed to be a part of so many wonderful experiences. All of these momentos serve as signposts along the road of the journey already traveled. Simple things like painted rocks, napkins that have been doodled on, and newspaper clippings. Each one tells a story of how my life has been impacted by so many different people, and how my life has impacted others as well. Some should be thrown away, and yet I just simply cannot part with them.

As I think about the past, I anxiously look forward to the future. Wondering what relic will I save from my next leg of the journey. Yes, they do making packing an office a little more difficult. However, it is worth all the extra effort. Some day, after I am gone and the decision is no longer mine, I am sure that most of the stuff will be tossed out. But until then, I carry my treasures with me, and keep an eye out for the next signpost ahead.

Detours

Yesterday, two friends, my wife and I went to a local restaurant for lunch. Our server, brought our drinks and I noticed on the inside of her wrist a small oriental tattoo. When she came back to the table with our drinks I asked her to tell me the story behind the "tat". I learned from a youth communicator that it is far more interesting to hear the story than to condemn the person for wearing this permanant marking. She first translated the symbols for me which meant, "one love." Then she proceeded to tell us the story. About five months ago, her high school sweetheart and fiance was tragically killed. Part of the grieving process was getting this tattoo as both a memorial to him, and also as a reminder to her regarding all the things she loves.

For her the journey was pretty much planned out. She would soon marry, and her and her husband would live happily ever after. Then out of nowhere a detour. At that point she obviously had a few choices to make. She could decide that life was no longer worth living and instead of a tattoo, put a knife to that same wrist and end it all. Fortunately for us that was not her decision. She could have simply given up and existed rather than live. The good news is she decided to proceed along the route of this unfortunate detour to her journey, and find a way to recover and get back to her travels. This came with a lot of tears and uncertainty. But one day she came to herself and realized that indeed life must go on. So for her the journey continues with the constant reminder that along her journey she had met and enjoyed the pleasure of knowing that "one love." And even when there are detours the journey continues.

Details Details Details

We are now in the process of selling our home before moving. In order to do that we are doing all the things that should have been done for the last six years. Our motto has been "make it livable." Once we got things to the point that they could be used, we didn't bother to finish all the details. Today we painted and did some repair work on some sheet rock. The tab for today is already at $43. We spent the weekend with cable and watched all those home repair shows. They take $1000 and spend $999 and are so proud that they stay under budget. That's great if you have $1000 and someone else is footing the bill. So, I hope to be able to do a lot with a little. No, I have to do a lot with a little. The journey begins and the details have to be addressed. I made a list and plan to check off the details one at a time. Before long, the details will all be taken care of and we will be well on our way. Stay tuned.

The Journey Begins in Earnest

You have heard the saying, "Getting back into the swing of things." It felt much like that as I sat and listened in on a meeting of likeminded people who are presently employed by the same agency that I will go to work for in about a month. It was good to hear some things, it was challenging to hear some other things. Overall, it was assuring. Self-doubt has a way of showing up when it is least expected. It is also one of the leading road blocks to most journeys. The best way to handle it is to address it headon. There is no need to ignore it, because it will only grow stronger. So, calling it what it is, and moving on is the best prescription for overcoming this time consuming and derailing feeling.

As we drove away from the meeting the question was asked, "Do you think you can do this?" The answer, "Yeah, I think I can." Here we go!!