Enjoy little things, for someday you may look back and realize they were the big things

The famous biographer James Boswell (known best for his acclaimed biography of Samuel Johnson) spoke often of a special childhood memory—a day spent fishing with his dad. Even as an adult, Boswell would reminisce about the time, citing the many things his father taught him during the hours together. 

Many years later, after both James and his dad had passed away, the older man’s journals were found. Someone looked up what he had written in his diary on the day that had meant so much to his son.

The father had written, “Gone fishing today with my son; a day wasted.”

What can we learn from this anecdote? 

      • Don’t underestimate the potential impact of time spent with other people. Even though you may not be a famous person (James’ father was not), a small kindness or time spent with others can deeply affect their lives. 
      • You may never know the impact you have on other people—they may not tell you and you would not suspect it—but acts of kindness are always appropriate and usually bear fruit. 
      • Though several people are experiencing the same thing, each will see and interpret it differently. For instance, though multiple people may enter the same room at the same time, their experiences may differ drastically. When an interior designer and a security expert enter the same room, they likely will have vastly different thoughts. Let’s not be quick to judge the elder Boswell, because we don’t know the back-story of that day. I can only imagine that he would have been pleased to know how much his son enjoyed their day together.  

My biggest take away from this anecdote is that I’m going to slow down my pace and spend more quality time with family and friends.

Learn to use the phrase “It’s okay; no-one died.”

Plus – Two T.V. shows I recommend

I’ve learned a new phrase that comes in handy when I’m inordinately or unnecessarily worried about a mistake I made. I learned it from my friend Jason.

One day we were talking about a mistake that happened in one of our worship services (we started a song in two different keys). I was obsessing about it when Jason said, “Don, don’t worry about it; no one died.”

If an air-traffic controller, surgeon, or pilot makes a mistake, someone can die. But most of us work in jobs where mistakes are not fatal or permanent. Embarrassing perhaps, but not life-altering.

I’m not, of course, suggesting that we be flippant about making mistakes; we should always be careful and do our best. But sometimes we need to give ourselves and others grace. Sometimes it’s okay just to admit that a mistake was made, analyze why it happened so it won’t be repeated, and then drop the issue and carry on.

When you flub up, are you too hard on yourself? Or too easy? Are you too hard on other people when they make a mistake, or do you extend grace?

Inevitably, errors happen, so put them in proper perspective.

Two video series I highly recommend

Most nights, Mary and I end the day watching video shows together. It’s relaxing and enjoyable. We recently finished two shows on Netflix that we totally enjoyed: S.W.A.T (about the Los Angeles police team), and All the Light We Cannot See (the book by Anthony Door won the Pulitzer Prize and is now a four-part video series.) The story takes place in WW2. The protagonist is a 12 year old girl who is blind. Watch and enjoy.

2024 Travel with Friends trip to Northern Europe

Information meeting on January 22

I love to travel with friends.

Twelve years ago I started hosting an annual international trip for friends. I truly wanted to use my travel-knowledge to help others experience the wonders of travel. If you’ve not traveled much, it can be intimidating, mysterious, and confusing. My trips make travel accessible, safe, reasonable, and fun.

It’s also beneficial to travel with others-as opposed to traveling solo-because experiences are magnified when we have them with others. When you have an “ah-ha” moment–like seeing the beaches of Normandy– have it with others and it will be more deeply etched into your mind. Also, deep friendships are formed when you’re traveling with a group. Some of the best friends I have are people that I have traveled with often.

Here’s a brochure about the 2024 Travel with Friends trip. I hope you’ll join Mary and me for a life-enhancing 17-days.

Baltic-Sea-Trip-2024-Brochure-110823-Fillable

Travel with Friends Information Meeting

Join me on January 22, 7:00p.m. CST for a 45-minute information meeting on Zoom about the 2024 Travel with Friends trip to the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe.

We’ll discuss the itinerary, accommodations, and ports of calls. The Q&A will answer all your questions. If you want to attend, let me know and I’ll send you an invitation. You can download Zoom for free. You can also participate via a conference call using your mobile phone.

Here’s the brochure that we’ll discuss. Baltic-Sea-Trip-2024-Brochure-110823-Fillable

If you want to attend, email me at [email protected] or call me at 214.783.4414

 

This story took my breath away

Plus – Zoom meeting on January 22 to discuss 2024 Travel with Friends trip to Northern Europe

In 1981 President Ronald Reagan nominated Sandra Day O’Connor to serve as a justice on the United States Supreme Court. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate 99 to 0. As the first woman to ever serve on the Supreme Court, Justice O’Connor inspired a generation of women — including the five female Justices that succeeded her — to chart a path that previously seemed unattainable. She was a well-respected jurist her whole career, being both pragmatic and moderate.

She died on December 1, 2023. Two days later the New York Times published an extensive article about her life and work. Part of the article made me weep. Here’s the excerpt.

“Sandra Day O’Connor gave up lifetime tenure on the Supreme Court – a job she loved and one with extraordinary power – to care for her husband of 52 years as he deteriorated from dementia.

“That decision, in 2005, began a poignant final chapter of her extraordinary life. Her choice, at age 75, reflected her attempt to integrate the often conflicting demands of professional achievement and family expectations to changing gender roles and an aging population.

“Justice O’Connor, who died on Friday at the age of 93, had hoped to care for her husband at their home in Arizona. But when that soon became untenable, she moved him to an assisted living facility. He was unhappy about the move, but then something remarkable happened: he found romance with another woman who was a patient there.

“And Justice O’Connor, who not long before had been the most powerful woman in the country, was thrilled because he was content and comfortable again–even like a ‘teenager in love,’ as their son Scott put it. The justice kept up her regular visits, beaming next to the happy couple as they held hands on a porch swing.” (New York Times, Sunday, December 3, 2023]

Her deep commitment to her husband affects me deeply. Not only did she give up her career to care for him, but she continued to love and care for him when, in a state of dementia, he loved another woman.

I want to display that depth of love to my family and friends.

Travel with Friends Information Meeting

Join me on January 22, 7:00p.m. CST for a 45-minute information meeting on Zoom about the 2024 Travel with Friends trip to the Baltic Sea and Northern Europe.

We’ll discuss the itinerary, accommodations, and ports of calls. The Q&A will answer all your questions. If you want to attend, let me know and I’ll send you an invitation. You can download Zoom for free. You can also participate via a conference call using your mobile phone.

Here’s the brochure that we’ll discuss. Baltic-Sea-Trip-2024-Brochure-110823-Fillable

If you want to attend, email me at [email protected] or call me at 214.783.4414